The picturesque hill stations, lush green landscapes, snow-clad mountains and historical monuments make North India a tourist paradise. Most of these destinations are popular globally, but there are still a handful of unexplored places. These offbeat places offer raw natural beauty, and you can experience several new things here. A few days away from the crowd of the urban areas will be great relaxation for your mind as well as your body.
Here are a few offbeat tourist places to visit in North India.
Pangot, Uttarakhand
Pangot is a small village near Nainital known for its jungles and birds. If you’re a birdwatcher, then you should not miss this place. places to visit in north india You can see over 300 species of birds in and around Pangot. Apart from this, you can enjoy adventurous activities, trekking and mountain climbing here. Pangot is well connected by road, rail and air transport. It’s located just 80kms away from the popular Jim Corbett National Park. The best time to visit Pangot is summer, i.e., from March to July. During this period, the weather will be pleasant.
Nubra Valley, Ladakh
Nubra is a cold desert located 150km away from Leh and is renowned for its orchards, colourful monasteries, scenic vistas and Bactrian camels. It’s one of the most stunning regions of the Indian Himalayas and is a bikers’ paradise. During winters, snow will cover the entire region, while in summers, they turn green. Camel safari, mountain cycling and motorbiking tours are a few things you can enjoy at Nubra Valley. The best time to visit Nubra Valley is between April and July.
Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Spiti is another cold desert situated in Himachal Pradesh. Apart from its natural beauty, Spiti is famous for its ancient monasteries. It’s a religious as well as a cultural centre for Buddhists. Besides, you can do a plethora of activities here, such as river rafting, trekking, camping, and fossil hunting. You can reach Spiti Valley from Shimla or Manali, and it may take 8-9 days to explore the valley. The best time to visit Spiti is either during May and June or October and November when the weather will be pleasant.
Bundi, Rajasthan
Located about 35km away from Kota, Rajasthan, Bundi is popular for Havelis, forts and temples. Bundi is a perfect destination for those who would like to experience the authentic Rajasthani culture. Major attractions of this 12th-century town are Sukh Palace, Moti Mahal, Taragarh Fort, Garh Mahal, and Nawal Sagar Lake. The best way to reach Bundi is by road, and the nearest railway station is Kota. The ideal time to visit Bundi is October to March.
Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
Lansdowne is a hill station in Uttarakhand that was a central place for the activities of freedom fighters from British Garhwal. It’s a perfect place for adventure activities, such as trekking, strolling, boating, etc. Lansdowne also attracts nature lovers due to its scenic view of mountain ranges and snow-capped peaks. The place is clad in oak and pine trees. The summer season is the best time to visit Lansdowne when the temperature will be around 30 degrees Celsius.
Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
Located in the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh, Mandu is well-known for its beautiful palaces and monuments constructed with stones. Among them, the most popular is Baz Bahadur’s Palace which shows a blend of Rajasthani and Afghan architecture. Other major attractions of Mandu are Jami Masjid, Jahaz Mahal, Rani Roopmati Pavilion, Hindola Mahal, and Nilkanth Mahadev Temple. Winter is the best season to visit Mandu.
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is a hill station located at an altitude of about 3048m from sea level; it’s the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. You can see several beautiful monasteries here. Apart from it, tourists can enjoy the beauty of stunning waterfalls and picturesque landscapes as well as experience the taste of the region’s unique cuisines. The best time to visit Tawang is during summer and monsoon.
Hemis, Ladakh
Hemis is a small village located in the Leh district of Ladakh and renowned for the Hemis monastery built by king Senge Nampar Gyalva in 1672 AD. Hemis festival, which tells the victory of good over evil, is world famous and celebrated on the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. This two-day festival usually falls either in June or July. Hemis National Park is another major attraction of this area, where you can see snow leopards and a variety of wolves, langurs, deers and red foxes. April-June is the ideal time to visit Hemis.
Saputara, Gujarat
Saputara is the only hill station in Gujarat. It’s located 875m above sea level and is an ideal destination for those who are looking for ecotourism. Saputara is known for its lush green forests, scenic mountains, stunning waterfalls, and picturesque landscapes. This place is blessed with calm and pleasant weather throughout the year. Hence, you can visit this place anytime in the year.
Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Kasol is a tiny village located on the banks of the river Parvati. Kasol attracts trekkers, backpackers, as well as nature lovers. If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly destination, Kasol is the right choice. March to June is the best time to visit Kasol.
Usually, offbeat destinations are located away from urban areas and have only basic facilities. Hence, before visiting an offbeat place in North India, you should purchase a domestic travel insurance policy.
While purchasing a travel insurance plan, make sure you’re buying it from a reputed insurer. Or else you’ll find several challenges at the time of claim. A reputed insurer offers different travel insurance plans designed to meet the requirements of various types of travellers, such as backpackers, family vacations, trekkers, etc. You can purchase travel insurance plans online and can enjoy several complimentary services with them.
